Mike Leigh

It tells the story of Hortense Cumberbatch, a successful black woman who traces her family history and discovers that her mother, Cynthia Rose Purley, is a working class white woman. Cynthia's brother, Maurice Purley, is a photographer who is married to a petty house-proud suburban housewife.



Wow! is all I can say. . This is a feast of tremendous acting, by a most talented ensemble who really become their characters. The scenes play out very naturally, and you really feel a part of the story, with special empathy towards - in no particular order - Cynthia, Maurice and Hortense. As the film builds towards a showdown/climax at the birthday party, you can even take a step back and at least sympathize with Roxanne and even, Monica.

Alternating between high comedy, scathing one-liners (Blethyn telling daughter Rushbrook she has a face like a "slapped arse" is a moment to treasure) and tear-jerking poignancy, with Spall, Rushbrook and Baptiste all offering strong support, this is nothing short of superb. I loved the attention to detail on families. Having only watched Vera Drake before, I can still see how imprtant Leigh pays attention to Families her. You really get the sense of the trouble and tormnt that the family is going through. Hortense has made a name for herself and Cythia his living in poverty- you can see the socail differances clearly there.



Leigh's direction is admirable in its restraint. He recognizes that he has a winning story and he gets performances from his actors, building up to the climax of the film without giving up any tension along the way.

I loved the way the camera was placed in front of them in the restaurant. Not at one point did the camer move away from them. That way you see what is really troubling them and the emotions that they are feeling. Brilliant stuff. I love the layering of the story, the characterizations so unexpected. Such as the child abandoned at birth and put out for adoption being the most centred and focused of everyone. The drunken ex-owner of the business that Maurice bought bringing Maurice to a place of awareness that it could be him wandering around drunkenly, speaking of his past achievements.

The flashes of mini-plots portrayed by the subjects of Maurice's photographic settings. The heart-breaking scene where Maurice's snobby wife reveals her secrets. The slowly developing warmth and comfort between Cynthia and Hortense.




Maurice?s photography clearly had some element of symbolism .He could get appropriate reactions from family members with obviously conflicting agendas and attitudes is representative of his abilities to steer the feelings of family members away from the harmful, hurtful reactions which they all wish to unleash on one another. He captures snapshots of groups as they wish to be captured. However, the mode in which they are photographed usually does not reflect their actual feelings at the time, and indeed may obscure peoples' true feelings about being there, in those circumstances, with those people

Overall a brilliant,brilliant film which I hope everyone sees.

Highly Recommended

One of Leigh's best, in my opion. Imelda Staunton was deffinatly worthy of her oscar nomination.